1. the hair or feathers on the back of the neck of an animal that can stand up when the animal is angry or afraid
2. a person’s feelings of anger or irritation, especially when aroused
Usage: typically used in the phrase ‘raise someone’s hackles’

Examples

• The dog’s hackles rose when it saw the stranger approaching.
• The rooster’s hackles stood up as it prepared to fight.
• His rude comment really raised my hackles.
• The unfair criticism raised hackles among the employees.
• You could see the cat’s hackles bristling with fear.
• The politician’s remarks raised hackles across the political spectrum.
• The bird’s colorful hackles made it easy to identify.